With over 300 fights under his belt, Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon is unfazed by any challenger, including Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
The ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion will meet the 12-time Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world champion in a special rules super-fight at ONE X on March 26 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The event will commemorate ONE Championship’s 10th anniversary.
Rodtang and Johnson have agreed to a style of fighting that has never been done before inside the ONE Circle.
The bout will unfold over four rounds of three minutes each that will alternate between Muay Thai and MMA, with the first and third rounds under Muay Thai rules and the second and fourth rounds under MMA rules.
Rodtang is eager to face Johnson and demonstrate his own MMA prowess and his spectacular Muay Thai skills.
“The first round is going to say a lot. DJ will be looking at the first round to see what we’ve both got,” Rodtang said.
“I have worked on my ground game a lot, particularly my submission defence. But, of course, I still prefer striking since I am more confident with it.
“If it does go to the ground, we’ll see if my training is enough to survive against one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.”
He understands the significance of the fight and what it can do for his future.
“This fight is a rare occurrence in the history of martial arts,” he added.
“It’s very rare that you get a mixed-rules fight featuring Muay Thai and MMA.
“I’m so excited because DJ is my idol and he’s one of the best fighters in the world. It will be an honour to share the circle with him,” Rodtang said.
The fight will be broadcast live on the ONE Super App.
China’s rights holder has told the Premier League it will not broadcast EPL matches this weekend because they planned to show support for Ukraine, the BBC reports.
The Premier League reportedly declined to comment when asked about the matter.
China is a close ally of Russia and has refused to condemn its invasion of Ukraine.
The Chinese decision came after the Premier League issued a statement condemning the invasion and saying that all clubs would show solidarity with the people of Ukraine during matches this weekend.
iQiyi Sports took over rights to broadcast the Premier League in China last year after the collapse of a deal with PPTV.
The row comes as the Premier League reviews its broadcast contracts in Russia.
The league’s chief executive Richard Masters said that, with teams demonstrating their support for Ukraine, he would “like the Russian people to see the strength of feeling in the Premier League and in English football this weekend”.
He added: “But we are looking at them [the contracts] very closely in terms of suspension or termination, given the current circumstances.”
In 2019, China’s state broadcaster CCTV removed an Arsenal-Manchester City match from the schedule after Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil had posted on social media about the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in China.
The Thai’s goal now is to win the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship in mixed martial arts, but first she must dethrone reigning queen “Unstoppable” Angela Lee.
She’ll get her chance to do so in the main event at ONE X, ONE Championship’s 10-year anniversary event that goes down at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 26 March and features a bonanza of incredible fights.
“Ever since I started fighting, I have been very motivated to reach my full potential. I want to be the first athlete in ONE Championship to win world titles in three different sports. My dream hasn’t changed,” said Stamp.
The athlete is currently 8-1 in MMA, riding a three-fight winning streak. While Stamp’s striking skills are undoubtedly her most valuable asset, she’s been working hard to improve all aspects of her game.
The 2021 ONE Female MMA Athlete of the Year is not taking this fight lightly and is putting in as much preparation as she can.
“I’ve never trained as hard as I have now. Angela Lee has it all. I think the key will be not to fall into her traps and follow her game plan,” Stamp said.
“We can’t deny the fact that she’s definitely better than me and knows more than me when it comes to grappling. She’s a BJJ black belt, and that is something I am aware of.
“When we’re in the Circle, anything can happen, and we don’t know how this fight will end. I will do my best to win.”
Sure, Stamp’s feeling the pressure of competing for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title, but she regards Lee as a role model and wants the fight to reflect that.
“I’m a professional athlete. I’m going to give it my all. She is still my idol. For this fight, I will put all of my ability into trying to beat Angela Lee. I consider this showing honor and respect toward Angela,” she said.
ONE X will stream live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 26 March on the ONE Super App.
The Premier League has issued a statement condemning Russia’s invasion, adding that all clubs would show their support for the people of Ukraine during matches this weekend.
Club captains will wear special armbands in Ukrainian colours and fans will be encouraged to join players, managers, match officials and club staff in a moment of reflection and solidarity before kick-off.
Large screens at the stadiums will broadcast the message “Football Stands Together” against the blue-and-yellow colours of Ukraine’s national flag.
The message will be visible to fans around the world across digital channels. Logos and profiles on those platforms will change to represent the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
“We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted,” the statement said.
The move comes after FIFA and UEFA banned Russian national and club teams from all international competition, in response to Moscow launching a war against its southern neighbour on February 24.
Meanwhile Chelsea’s Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, has announced he is selling the club he bought in 2003. The move follows calls in UK’s parliament for Abramovich to be sanctioned over his alleged close links with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich denies claims he is close to Putin but has not condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. However, the Chelsea owner said net proceeds from the sale of the club will be donated to victims of the war in Ukraine.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich released a statement on Wednesday saying he was ready to sell the club.
“In the current situation, I have taken a decision to sell Chelsea as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, the club’s sponsors and partners,” he said.
Abramovich has owned Chelsea since 2003 and is reportedly looking to sell the club for at least US$2.5 billion (THB81.4 billion).
He made it clear that he would not ask for any loans to be repaid.
Abramovich also instructed the Chelsea team to set up a charitable foundation in which all net proceeds would be donated for the benefit of victims of the war in Ukraine.
He has reportedly met with Raine Group, a New York advisory firm, in recent days to find a new owner. He has set a deadline of Friday to get offers from anyone interested.
On Saturday, Abramovich said he was ceding ownership of the club to members of its charitable foundation.
He said in a statement that they were “in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff and fans” and did not mention a potential sale.
Both moves came in the wake of sanctions levied against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The UK has proposed legislation targeting wealthy Russians like Abramovich, because he has a “long-standing relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Almost 90 per cent of football fans said they were interested in an exhibition match between Manchester United and Liverpool, but 38 per cent felt the ticket prices were too high in the current economic situation, a Kasem Bundit University Sport Poll said.
Match organiser Fresh Air Festival had earlier announced that ticket prices would range from 5,000 baht to 25,000 baht for the game between the two Premier League giants at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on July 12.
The poll, conducted online from February 26 to 28, surveyed 1,383 people – 825 males and 558 females – over the age of 18.
Precisely 89 per cent said they were interested in the match while 7.4 per cent were undecided and 2.6 per cent were uninterested.
Some 41 per cent said they would follow the match via TV or even radio, 30 per cent said they would do so on social media and 28 per cent aimed to attend the match.
As for the ticket prices according to the current socio-economic situation, almost 38 per cent said the price was certainly not suitable in the current situation, but 36 per cent thought that it was okay and 26 per cent did not have an answer.
Some 29 per cent believed the game would increase tourism revenue, 25 per cent felt it would bring Thailand fame and 16 per cent thought it would inspire youth.
Meanwhile, 14 per cent said the match would bring happiness and lead to increased interest in sports and 12.5 per cent felt it would create recognition from other countries.
The director of KBU’s Centre of Innovation for Human Capital Development, Rattapong Bunyanuwat, said most of those surveyed were interested in the match because it was difficult for the two football giants to play against each other outside the UK. However, many did not agree with the ticket prices.
He pointed out that in the current situation, people might not have enough money to spare for tickets and most would watch the match on television or social media.
Rattapong said the government should allocate funds to support the game because every sector – especially the economy and tourism – would benefit from it.
The Jutanugarn sisters and Patty Tavatanakit will lead the local challenge as the world’s best golfers vie for US$1.6 million (Bt53 million) in prize money at the Honda LPGA Thailand next week.
The event tees off at Siam Country Club Old Course, Pattaya from March 10 to 13, with 70 golfers, including 56 professionals from the 2022 LPGA Priority List.
Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn will be joined by LPGA Rookie of the Year and 2021 ANA Inspiration champion Patty as Thai stars on home soil seek to steal the limelight from their international peers.
Also competing in Pattaya will be 2021 Amundi Evian Championship winner, Minjee Lee, 2021 US Open winner Yuka Saso and 2019 British Open champion Hinako Shibuno, together with other top players drawn from Asia, the United States and Europe.
Meanwhile, fans will get to see up-and-coming Thai stars including two-time National Qualifying winner Chanettee Wannasaen, who joins Pornanong Phatlum, Jaravee Boonchant and amateur Rina Tatematsu in the starting list.
“Winning the Honda LPGA Thailand 2021 was one of my greatest achievements because it was in my home country,” said defending champion Ariya.
“I am also excited to share the playing field with other Thai players and want to inspire upcoming golfers as much as they inspire me.”
Fellow Thai golfer Patty said she was “excited to be back home again, and know that we will all strive to do our best”.
The tournament will be held without spectators but broadcast live to over 100 countries. Thai golf fans can tune in live on PPTV HD 36 and their digital platforms across the four days of the tournament.
The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2022 will launch in Thailand later this month after being suspended for two years due to Covid-19.
The motorcycle racing competition will kick off at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram from March 25-27.
The 2022 season calendar features six races in five countries, with the final race due back in Thailand on November 18-20.
Choosing Thailand to host two races reflected international trust in the country’s Covid-19 prevention measures, Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said at the press conference on Monday.
The competition would also showcase Thailand’s readiness to welcome international sports competitions, he added.
Participating foreign teams must be fully vaccinated and registered via the Thailand Pass system, according to Chang Circuit’s president Newin Chidchob. Under Test & Go rules, they will take PCR tests on the day of their arrival, stay in SHA EXTRA+ hotels, and be screened by ATKs before the race. Newin added that spectators must also be fully vaccinated.
Tickets for the race weekend are available at 7-Eleven counters while the race will be broadcast live on Channel T Sport 7.
FIFA and UEFA have suspended all Russian teams, both national and club level, from participation in international competitions until further notice following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The decisions were adopted by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and UEFA executives, and follow the International Olympic Committee’s move to ban Russian athletes.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” FIFA and UEFA said in a joint statement on Monday. “Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”
On Sunday, FIFA had said Russian teams could continue to participate in global competitions but not under their own flag or on Russian soil. These measures were in line with recommendations from the IOC but they came under pressure after national teams including Poland, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland said they would not play Russia in World Cup qualifiers.
In another highly significant move, UEFA has ended its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions. The Russian gas company had been a major sponsor of the UEFA Champions League for the past 10 years and this year’s final was due to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg.
The decision covers all existing agreements including the Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA Euro 2024.
Beijing, the city that hosted the 2008 Paralympics, will once again become the center stage of the Paralympic movement for the 2022 Winter Paralympics from March 4 to 13.
Within one week, the cauldron will be lit at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. Beijing, the city that hosted the 2008 Paralympics, will once again become the center stage of the Paralympic movement for the 2022 Winter Games from March 4 to 13.
After the closing of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the venues entered their transition stage to better serve the Paralympics, including the famous National Aquatics Center.
Previously known as the “Water Cube”, the National Aquatics Center was converted to the “Ice Cube” to host curling competitions at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Now, more adjustments will be made to prepare for the upcoming wheelchair curling competitions.
The red lantern-shaped Paralympic mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon has replaced animated astronaut giant panda Bing Dwen Dwen inside and outside the “Ice Cube”. More accessible seats and toilets have been built and will be kept permanently after the events. Accessible ramps were set up not only for athletes and referees but also for journalists with disabilities at the media stand.
If those journalists entered the main media center (MMC), they would notice a multimedia center set up at the entrance to offer guidance. Accessible signs and ramps were added to the building, and the cafeterias have been equipped with lower hand disinfection areas.
With over 80 athletes from 22 countries and regions competing at Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park, four barrier-free routes are set up for athletes, coaches, media and audiences to guarantee an all-around barrier-free experience for all participants. An artificial limb and wheelchair maintenance center is also ready to provide timely service.
At the National Alpine Skiing Center in Yanqing district, specially-designed cable cars will cater to the needs of athletes with lower limb deficiencies. According to Netherlands coach Nicky Elsewaerd, the facilities here and of the Yanqing Paralympic Village are the best.
“I have been to Sochi and Pyeongchang, and these facilities by far are the best for the Paralympics,” said Elsewaerd at a training session.
“The facilities are perfect. Everything is good and acceptable. We have big rooms and big bedrooms. They have special bedrooms for athletes with wheelchairs,” he added.
On the same day that Elsewaerd arrived in China, China’s Paralympic cross-country skiing and biathlon teams ended their 55-day training period at Baiyin National Snow Event Training Base in northwest China’s Gansu Province and left for Beijing.
The whole team didn’t take a single day off during the 55 days, including the past Chinese New Year. “I will try my best to achieve a good result. I hope that all athletes can get honors,” said Guo Yujie, who will compete in both cross-country skiing and biathlon.
A good result at home is something every Chinese athlete longed for during their preparation for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games.
On the second day of the Year of the Tiger, the Chinese wheelchair curling team started their first training session in the lunar new year. It’s hard not to notice one banner on the wall in their training venue: “The champions in Pyeongchang made history. Starting from zero, we gear up for Beijing”.
The team made a breakthrough at the PyeongChang Winter Paralympics, snatching China’s first gold medal in wheelchair curling, also the first-ever medal for the country at the Paralympic Games.
Team members expressed their will to turn pressure into motivation to achieve their best in Beijing. The reigning champions are expected to participate in the official training session on March 3.
A total of 96 Chinese athletes will compete in all six disciplines at Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, namely wheelchair curling, para ice hockey, para-alpine skiing, para snowboarding, para cross-country skiing and para biathlon.
SootinClaimon.Com 